Published Jun 09, 2026 | 4:05 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 09, 2026 | 4:05 PM
INDIA bloc leaders during the meeting in Delhi.
Synopsis: Already the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, the Congress needs concentration and clarity of purpose—not additional burdens.
Dear Mr Kharge and Mr Gandhi,
Subject: INDIA Alliance Needs a Non-Congress Chairperson.
I have read the reports emerging from the recent INDIA Alliance meeting in New Delhi. The reality is plain to see: India’s democracy, constitutional institutions, and federal structure are under unprecedented strain. With every passing week, the BJP appears more determined to centralise power and weaken the checks and balances that underpin a healthy republic.
That’s why the INDIA Alliance matters. I am sure you know that.
Yes, the alliance contains contradictions. Most large political coalitions do. Many are unavoidable, given the Congress party’s pan-India presence and the regional aspirations of its partners. Yet, despite these complexities, a cohesive, disciplined, and purposeful alliance remains indispensable.
The public mood is shifting. The remarkable social-media success of the overnight sensation, the “Cockroach Janata Party,” however satirical its origins, carries a deeper message: millions of Indians are searching for an alternative. They are signalling frustration, fatigue, and a desire for change.
The question is no longer whether the country seeks a credible opposition. The question is whether the INDIA Alliance is prepared to become one.
The alliance must also learn from its mistakes. The loss of Nitish Kumar to the NDA before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was not merely a setback—it was a strategic blunder. It cannot be blamed on Narendra Modi or Amit Shah. It was a failure of alliance management, foresight, and political accommodation. Had that relationship been handled differently, India could well have witnessed a very different outcome in 2024.
Which brings me to a suggestion that many may privately agree with but few are willing to articulate publicly:
The INDIA Alliance should appoint a non-Congress Chairperson.
This is not a diminution of the Congress party’s role. On the contrary, it is an acknowledgement of its importance.
The Congress is already the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. That is a position of immense visibility and influence. It should leverage that platform fully.
More importantly, the Congress faces the central challenge confronting the opposition: defeating the BJP in direct electoral contests across India. The party requires relentless focus on rebuilding its organisation, strengthening leadership structures, expanding resources, and improving electoral execution. If Congress succeeds, the alliance succeeds. If Congress falters, the alliance weakens with it.
The Congress therefore does not need additional burdens. It needs concentration and clarity of purpose.
A non-Congress Chairperson would offer several advantages:
It would introduce a fresh national voice and create greater visibility for the alliance.
It would reduce the inevitable tensions arising from Congress being a competitor to many regional parties in their respective states.
It would reassure alliance partners that the coalition is genuinely collaborative rather than hierarchical.
It would enable dedicated coordination, consensus-building, and outreach across the country.
It would create a leader whose primary responsibility is strengthening the alliance rather than managing a large national party.
It would allow that individual to campaign across states as a collective voice of the opposition without the baggage of direct electoral competition.
Most importantly, it would send a powerful signal that the opposition is prepared to place the larger national interest above individual party considerations.
The Congress must not behave like an insecure elder sibling. It is, and will remain, the largest opposition party in India. Its parliamentary strength and national footprint ensure that it will continue to wield substantial influence, including in any future discussions about leadership at the national level.
Congress needs to be both munificent and perspicacious.
In the present circumstances, my recommendation would be that Ms. Mamata Banerjee be considered for the role of Chairperson of the INDIA Alliance. She possesses national visibility, political experience, administrative credentials, and a proven ability to take on the BJP. Equally, there are other capable leaders within the alliance, and the final decision should emerge through consensus.
India’s citizens are not looking for another round of meetings, resolutions, or carefully drafted statements. They are looking for leadership. They are looking for urgency. They are looking for evidence that the opposition understands the scale of the challenge before it.
The era of endless deliberation, vague timelines, and rhetorical grandstanding must now give way to decisive action. These chai and biscuit chats and photo-ops are now boring. Make every day count.
History rarely rewards those who arrive late.
The nation is watching. The rubber has finally hit the road.
Good luck
Sanjay Jha
(Views are personal.)
